ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 10, SHAKE N FRIES

FIRST RACE

SADDLE CLUB comes here hot to the touch, having won her last 5. She was claimed in her last 3 and Nunez claimed her back last time out after losing her via a claim in her prior start. All that good work came on the shorter version of this track but it proves she likes the footing. KRISTIE’S HEART kept to her task decently to be 2nd to a runaway winner at DMR last time out Nov. 25. She’s run well here before. DIAMOND PROOF won gamely on the shorter version of this track Nov. 10 before a troubled run when 6th at this level in slop here Dec. 6. She could bounce back.

SECOND RACE

CHAPIS posted her 2 best outings when moved to this trip in her last 2 starts and the best of those 2, a sharp 2nd when beaten by just a neck, came on this track at this level so you know she likes it here. BRITE RIVERS wasn’t disgraced in her debut at this level at SA in March. Then came nearly 9 months off and a dullish return at DMR Nov. 23, but not only was she dealing with that long layoff she was facing much more expensive $50K foes. She can benefit from that outing and from today’s drop, and it’s nice to see there’s not another layoff. SPECTACULAR STORM was out of her element routing on turf vs. much tougher straight maidens last time out at DMR Nov. 17. This is a better situation in terms of footing and class level and she has some speed.

THIRD RACE

CASH FOR CASS stalked the pace before fading to 5th in a sprint at SA Nov. 3, but that was just her 2nd starts and it also came vs. much more expensive $50K foes. She’s bred to go at least this far and today’s drop surely helps. That last 5th looks better, too, when you note 2 she faced that day came right back to win. DEPENDE DE TI has yet to be a threat in the lane in 6 starts but the bulk of her work has come vs. tougher and sprinting. She might like this longer game and the heat she exits has been flattered as 3 have come out of that race to win next time out. DAIRY KID was no threat in her debut here Dec. 7 when 6th, but not only can you always forgive a debut run, it came vs. $50K foes. She can benefit from that run and today’s drop. Two of her 3 sibs are winners.

FOURTH RACE

HOT ROD GAL looked super blasting maidens in her debut here Sept. 22 and was then a solid 3rd first time vs. winners at DMR Nov. 12. She has loads of speed and that debut run shows she likes it here. DISCREET DIVA has raced only on turf but she’s shown talent, enough to earn a shot at a G3 last time out. Those waters proved too deep but this drop helps and she’s bred to handle dirt just fine. She’s certainly worked well on dirt all along. BAM BAMS LIL RIVER laughed at maidens in her debut here Sept. 9, then pressed the issue and ran 4th first time vs. winners at SA Nov. 2, so her profile is similar to the top pick, though she hasn’t been quite as strong Beyerwise. She’s reunited with Espinoza who was aboard for that big debut win.

FIFTH RACE

CREATIVE INSTINCT came out firing at DMR in August, easily winning her first 2 starts including a stakes. She was then 4th in a stakes at SA Nov. 2 before finding G3/routing on turf waters too deep at DMR Nov. 24. She’s down in class and back to dirt and that can get her back on track. KOOKIE GAL has run only on turf, including a solid 5th in a G3 at DMR last time out Nov. 24, just her 2nd start. She drops and moves to dirt, footing she’s bred to handle. She hails from the same barn as the top pick, so trainer Miller holds a strong hand. HOTITUDE whipped maidens here Sept. 13. That earned her a stakes shot at SA Nov. 2 where